The history of the Market

The Market launched as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2013. Our incorporation as an independent, not-for-private-profit business followed a number of unsuccessful pilot markets run by Manchester City Council. We set up because we believe that a Market can help improve the high street. However, from the outset, we have always been clear in our vision that a healthy high street needs to be underpinned by an economically healthy community and that – as a social enterprise – is the mission we seek to support. You can learn more about the work we do as a social enterprise here.

In 2014 we moved from a monthly operational model to a weekly market, which we remain today.

Since 2015 we have undertaken a number of research projects, community funding schemes and partnerships with local organisations that have helped us to increase the impact we have in the community. Learn more about our projects here.

Our team

The Market is owned and strategically led by a team of volunteer directors with expertise in different fields ranging from finance and HR to marketing and community engagement. All the directors are unpaid and residents of Levenshulme.

They are supported by a team of staff who manage the day-to-day operation of the Market – everything from booking the traders to sweeping out puddles. All of our staff are paid above the National Living Wage. You can find out more about the team here.